Page 26 of The Moonstone Hero
“Oh, dear. Are you sure you can handle him?”
Ella emitted another laugh, this time mirthless. “No, I am not trained for this. I only hope lending a sympathetic ear is enough. I would offer a shoulder to cry on, but he is too proud ever to cry in front of me. That’s why I hope Uncle Cormac comes to visit him soon. Caden hasn’t wanted to see him yet, but I think the time has come. Ready or not, he has to talk to Uncle Cormac.”
They marched past the ancient stone fortress that served as the garrison for the army soldiers and continued up the small hill to the hospital. It was a few years old, but still the newest building in Moonstone Landing.
In the distance, Ella noticed another Royal Navy frigate sailing into the harbor. “More wounded to unload. The hospital is already at capacity.”
Imogen followed her gaze to the white-sailed speck now visible on the horizon. “Vicar Trask will take the overflow intoSt. Peter’s Church. He’s done it before. Oh, let’s hurry along. I see Lady Dowling’s carriage. Let’s see what mischief she is up to now.”
Ella stifled a pang of jealousy. She knew full well where they would find Lady Dowling, and it was not at the pianoforte rehearsing for her recital.
Imogen, whose senses were uncanny, picked up on Ella’s turmoil right away. She took her hand. “Come on. The orderlies have already unloaded most of the cakes off Mr. Hawke’s cart. You and I don’t need to stand here watching them. We have a stray cat to declaw.”
Ella wanted to laugh heartily, but shook her head instead. “Really, Imogen. It is none of my business what goes on between—”
“That is utter nonsense. First of all, she is too old for him. Does the woman have no shame? Preying on a younger man.”
“He cannot be more than a couple of years younger. Hardly scandalous. Caden can defend himself, assuming he wants to.”
“Ella! Of course he wants nothing to do with her. There is no question he prefers you to her. Why are you suddenly meek as a mouse? You cannot let that woman take him from you. And have you noticed how often you slipped when talking to me and referred to him as Caden instead of Lord Mersey? You had better be careful not to slip like that when speaking to others.”
“I know. But you’re my sister, so it is different. As for my being a mouse about his other women… Imogen, it isn’t that simple.”
“Yes, it is completely simple. First of all, he has no other women. He likes you. You like him. Don’t you dare turn coy on me. You’ve told me yourself he finds Lady Dowling irritating, and he does not trust her.”
“Well, sometimes things change.”
Imogen rolled her eyes. “Now you are just being ridiculous. I am going to kick you in the backside if you dare spout another stupid remark like that. Come on.”
Ella allowed her sister to drag her inside.
Some siblings grew up quarreling, but Ella had never had a cross word with Imogen. They were as close as two people could be. She did not even get annoyed when Imogen shoved her unannounced into Caden’s private hospital room.
She stumbled in with a gasp.
Caden and Lady Dowling turned toward her.
As expected, Lady Dowling had her fawning hands all over him.
“I assure you, Lady Dowling. I can manage this myself,” Caden was saying to her, but he broke off and tossed Ella a smile as she and Imogen entered his room. “You’re here. Thank goodness. And is this your sister?”
Imogen stepped forward. “Yes, I’m Imogen. I’ve heard so much about you…since Ella cannot stop talking about you.”
Ella groaned.
He chuckled. “A pleasure to meet you, Lady Imogen.”
“I see you are already being attended to,” Ella said, trying not to sound irked, since he had given her no cause. In truth, she had never seen a man more relieved to see her, which ought to have given her great satisfaction.
Lady Dowling still had her hands on his chest, supposedly smoothing out his nightshirt. But that shirt looked just fine to Ella, not a crease or wrinkle on it, as it was stretched tight along his broad shoulders and chest.
“Thank you, Lady Dowling. That will be quite enough,” Caden said, dismissing her.
She gave a soft purr as she stroked his arm and then gave Ella a feline smirk as she glided out of Caden’s room.
Ella simply stared at him, suddenly feeling inadequate and hating how this woman had managed to rattle her so easily. She knew Caden was not interested in Lady Dowling, but would the beautiful widow eventually wear him down?
“Pay no attention to my grumpy sister,” Imogen said with annoying cheer. “What can we help you with before the recital begins? Lady Dowling is quite talented. She plays beautifully and has a lovely singing voice. But she’s still a hateful she-cat, and—”
